Local News

Wiggins schools had highest rating on TCAP

ACT scores up

Wiggins School District's performance is high and its ACT scores have improved in every category except math since a new class was set up.

All three of the district's schools were rated at the "performance" level in the performance framework set up by the Colorado Department of Education, said Superintendent Gary Bruntz during the Wiggins Board of Education meeting Wednesday evening.

Schools are assessed for their achievement and growth scores on the Transitional Colorado Assessment Program, for gaps in learning between different groups of students and other factors, he said.

This is the highest rating schools can get, Bruntz noted.

The district as a whole was "accredited." The only higher rating is accredited with distinction, and that is Wiggins' goal, he said.

This means the district must come up with an improvement plan and implement it, Bruntz said.

He invited district residents to give input into that plan through the district's accountability committees.

The district is reviewed by CDE every three years.

Scores

Many Wiggins High School students did well in the last round of TCAP state tests, the board heard from WHS teachers.

Mike Saulmon, who teaches an advisory class for ACT preparation along with teacher Linda Epple, said students' results have jumped up one or two points on the 36-point ACT scale since the classes started.

Students in the junior class are required to take the tests by state law.

Sometimes, the scores were even higher than that.

For example, students who took the ACT test in 2009 averaged 14.8 on the English test, and the 2013 students averaged 18.2, Saulmon said.

Even better, ACT's analysis shows that about 22 percent of the current seniors are already ready to take college freshman classes and earn B grades or better, he said.

WHS teacher Cassie Sonnenberg said her ninth-grade reading and writing students beat the state average, although she would still like to see them writing better.

"Her classes did awesome," said WHS Principal Trent Kerr.

WHS science teacher Jaris VanRoekel said the 10th-grade class had the highest science scores in Wiggins history. Among Wiggins students, 67 percent scored as proficient or advanced in science, which is far above the 49 percent average for the state.

The highest level for Wiggins before this was 53 percent at proficient or advanced, he said.

Students who have to take the science test in 10th grade must take an extra test the rest of the kids do not, and that sometimes causes them to lose motivation, VanRoekel said.

He asked them if they were going to try or not, and received a commitment that they would try, he said.

Kerr said what VanRoekel has done with his science classes over the last couple of years was phenomenal. Many students consider his class their favorite.

VanRoekel found a way to bring more advanced technology into the classroom.

"I expect next year's scores to be higher yet," VanRoekel said.

Work still needs to be done on math scores, Kerr said, but Wiggins beat the freshman state math average for the first time last year.

"We're very proud of that," Kerr said. "I think we're on the right track."

Board members literally applauded the high school teachers.

Board President Craig Harris said he thought they were doing a good job.

Other

The board also:

Heard WHS agriculture teacher Rockie Ernst will receive an honorary American FFA Degree during the National FFA Convention. Only 52 ag instructors across the national will receive this honor.

Heard Ryan Ernst was named the state winner in the Ag Sales proficiency competition. His application was submitted to the national level, where he won a silver award.

Approved sending five FFA students to the national convention and spending FFA funds for renting a vehicle at the convention in Louisville, Ken.

Heard that due to road closures following the flood the district has set up a pickup and drop-off point for a group of students who live on the north side of the South Platte River.

Heard the list of Homecoming Week activities.

Heard they needed to let the administration know if they wanted to attend the annual Colorado Association of School Boards Conference in Colorado Springs in December so plans can be made.

Heard that parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for Oct. 22 and 24.

Heard that the district is usually short by one bus driver, and the routes are covered by substitute drivers and administrative personnel.

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